Today's Question

Such a very powerful question. The ego is what keeps us here. It is the 3D version of our eternal essence, and thrives on addiction. It has to believe in the “reality” of life here, what some call an illusion or a dream, and in order to do so, must hang on fiercely to something dense and solid. This could be the body (and what feeds it, starves it, strengthens it or weakens it), the slings and arrows of emotional wounding, the hardship of work or the poverty of perceived lack. Each is a fabrication, existing only in the realm of the ego, yet oh so real as we make a life here on earth in 3D.

The ego has a purpose and it will not be thwarted. It will go to any lengths to keep you believing in its solidity and reality. Any lengths, including suicide. Not to sound morbid but most of us know of at least one other, even remotely, who has taken their physical life. The reason? Pain of some sort, self defined and experienced.

If we were to let go of the illusion of the belief in an ego, both positive or negative, we'd lose our attachment to the earth itself, and disappear. For an interesting conversation about this read Gary Renard's book “The Disappearance of the Universe”.

The ego has gotten a bad rap. It is neither good nor bad, but necessary. In order to function as a physical being we have to “believe” in something, require it and desire it. We have to retain some sort of addiction. This could be to food, money, sex, power, laughter, pain, poverty, illness, sadness, joy – the choices are many. When you inquire about removing the ego, I imagine you are really asking “How can we stop reacting to life from our negative, self-defeating ego?” The answer is, you can't remove the ego, not if you want to stay here, but you can absorb it and morph it into someone you'd like to hang with.

Since you are here, I suspect you would like to stay. In order to manage negative egoic reactions, you can become aware of them whenever they occur, and instruct them, lovingly, to take a hike. Do not reject them, but absorb them with compassion into your ideal version of you (it helps to visualize her). Replace them with a response that serves your greater intent. This is the intent of your eternal essence. You do not exist separately from your ego, and cannot be human without your ego, so you must integrate with it and manage your ego.

This is so hard because the ego part of you is the solid part, and the part you identify with. Statements like “I always”, “I never”, “My favorite”, “I hate”, “I love” all come from the ego part, the part who has grown up and become the woman you are today. To reduce any negative effect and reactions from your ego will take repetition, vigilance and determination. It will not be easy, but can be accomplished with a clear intent. Your ego will be trying to convince you that you WANT to be miserable, lonely, angry or whatever. It will be telling you that you are entitled and it is your right to be mad. Lovingly quiet your ego, hold it close and watch as a different, happier version emerges.

Personally, I can tell you that the work involved is oh so worth it. Magic is at the other end of acceptance and love for every part of you, including your ego. I wish you only oneness.